freesia
-
Posts
7,716 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by freesia
-
-
No one (except dh who leaves for work) gets dressed before 10. Sometimes I leave my pj pants on until after lunch. We have a large picture window and can see anyone coming. We are not morning folks and it is easier just to eat breakfast as we get up and start work as we finish.
Reality in our house.:)
-
Dh's dad was an electrician and taught him how to be handy growing up. DH can fix almost anything and build almost anything in the house and with cars.
My dad could fix nothing around the house or fix cars. He paid people. I don't blame him. He had very little time on his hands as he worked very long hours and was able to fix people rather than things. He was very good at what he did.
Just curious about your dad.
Dawn
I have the same situation as you. I love having a handy dh.
-
I agree that the Christian co-ops are there bc someone local started them. No one came in and did it for the Christians. Even though I didn't want to, I started a co-op with a friend. It was something I wanted for my children and there were no co-ops nearby. Carole Topps book was invaluable.
Anne
-
If those parents you are referring to planned to send their kids to school when the time came for Kindergarten enrollment and in the meanwhile were doing a few preschool or K type worksheets with the kids and calling it homeschooling, I might roll my eyes.
But if they plan to keep their kids home and continue homeschooling and are already therefore thinking of themselves as homeschoolers and self-identifying as such, then it would not bother me at all if they called themselves that even if they were doing nothing at ALL academic with their young ones at this point.
:iagree: We always knew that we would homeschool. It was a lonely few years as our b and m friends sent their kids to pre-school so we weren't part of that group and, meanwhile, we weren't "official" yet so we couldn't join our homeschooling friend's organized adventures, either.
-
#1 weaned at 22 months. I was pregnant and didn't want to tandem nurse.
#2 weaned at 21 months. Pregnant again.
#3 weaned at 26 months.
#4 weaned at 28 months.
-
I think that each successive generation eats worse and worse because of the addition of pesticides/hormones/genetically modified foods. My parents' generation got high cholesterol/high blood pressure in their 60s and 70s. My friends are getting them in their 40s and 50s. When I was growing up, I didn't know one person with allergies, and I'd never heard of autism until my 30s (I'll be 50 this year).
Ds had a recent flare-up of his asthma because of sulfites (a preservative). You wouldn't believe how many things have sulfites in it eg. Cape Cod potato chips (sprayed from September through spring). Even the EpiPen has it - too bad if you have a sulfite allergy - you're left with Benadryl for anaphylactic reactions.
Regarding the epi-pen. Dh has a severe sulfite allergy. The doctor told him that the epinephren in the pen would keep him alive long enough to get to the hospital! Fortunately he's always been able to control it with Benedryl and hasn't had an anaphylactic reaction since before he got the pen.:tongue_smilie:
-
If your husband opted out of eventual ownership and has been paying rent when you go to the cabin rather than helping pay the expenses and upkeep that the eventual owners will pay I would not pay the taxes. The taxes are a part of the general expenses and upkeep. I would expect that the daily rental rate would go up to reflect the higher overhead costs the owners have.
:iagree:
-
I have the one book. (The first one that you posted.) The multiple books are separate parts of the one book. In other words you just order the units you want to do.
I just do the units I want to do using the big book. I used some last year and am using some this year.
I did not order the guided reading book and things have gone fine. I do have it for the Life Science book for next year but I'm not sure if I'll use it or not.
-
I am using it with my 1st grade ds who doesn't have any reading problems and my 2nd grade dd, who is dyslexic. They are both in level 1 and we are doing one page a day (not lesson) to make it last the entire year. I started it with my 2nd grader this year. I wouldn't use it with a 1st grader unless they were average or above readers.
Don't let the program fool you into thinking it is very easy. The first unit is easy, but it picks up later. The first unit makes sure they know all the letter sounds, but it only takes a few days. We are half way through level one and are to the point where I dictate 4 sentences for the dc to write.
I can't say enough about the program! I think it is the best spelling program available for dc who arn't natural spellers and a great phonics review for those who are.
I have used/am using it with 3 children. I used the later books to remediate my sixth grader who had "holes" in his spelling (end of C and D).
I didn't learn about it until dd was in second grade and started it then with her. (She is NOT a natural speller and probably a bit dyslexic.)
I started A with my first grader last week. It does pick up a lot after Level 15 or so (we also do 1/2 a level a day 4x a week.)
As well as reading look at fine motor control. My kids fine motor is not strong as first graders. I may have to slow Book A down for my ds at some point bc of this.
I also think it is wonderful as the words keep coming back and coming back and the rules keep getting repeated.
Anne
-
I didn't have taco shells so I made chili instead.
I did put the lentils into the food processor before adding in the other beans. My kids didn't even realize they weren't eating our regular recipe that asked for 2lbs of ground beef!
Thanks!
I'm glad the lentils worked for you. If you cook them long enough they do "melt" to a mush.
-
Being the director of a co-op, this is how I see it:
Often the parents who only have young children feel too inexperienced or tired to also teach a class or even volunteer for one of the bigger jobs.. They want to join the co-op but not teach. Yet, the younger children require a higher teacher to student ratio. Also, if your co-op is heavy on the 5 and under it can feel like a lot of resources are going to managing the younger set instead of providing classes for the older set. If this is not offset by a willingness to serve in a big way by the mothers it can lead to resentment.
If the mother is willing to teach an older kid class, though, then she is an asset to the co-op.
We don't have this rule, but we have been slowly raising our "oldest child" age from experience. We really wanted to serve the younger families but started burning out rapidly. We wanted to provide enrichment for our kids but our preschool/ infant/toddler group was bigger than the 6 and up group. And many of those mothers weren't willing to teach( we had a number of families of 1, 3, 5 yo). Maybe when the children of the board are older we can relax again.
I hope this gives some perspective,
-
Vegetarian Times has a Veg Starter Kit that gives a basic outline for a daily meal plan for vegetarian children.
Becoming Vegetarian by Melina would be a good read for you. If will help you make a meal plan that has enough protein without adding in too much cheese, milk and eggs.
One of my kids recently decided to go veg. We already had several meatless meals so it was more of a transition for the family then a complete change in eating habits. Each week we experimented with a recipe and different food substance such as tofu, etc. It has been a lot of fun and super easy. I did tell the kids that being vegetarian meant that they had to actually eat their of vegetables. It has been fun experimenting with veggies that we did not normally eat. We went from meatless 1-2 times per week to eating meat only 1x per week (or less) in about 6 weeks. Honestly, cooking meat kinda grosses me out now. If dh wants a meal with meat, he cooks it. Overall, everyone feels so much better.
I'm currently looking for an alternative source to make tacos. I tried the TVP that was available in the freezer section of my local store and my kids didn't care for it? Suggestions?
We LOVE red lentil tacos:
2 T olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 c finely chopped celery
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1C red lentils
1T chili powder
2 tsp cumin
2C vegetable broth (I usually need more than that)
1 1/2 C salsa
In large skillet, heat oil. Add onion, celery and garlic. Sautee 5 min.
Stir in lentils, chili powder and cumin
Cook 1 min
Add broth, cover and simmer for 15 minutes (until lentils are tender--do check and make sure you don't run out of liquid.)
Remove lid, cook 10 minutes longer, stirring often until lentils are thickened. Stir in salsa.
We serve in tacos but you can use tortillas if you want.
Mmmm I think I'll plan these for next week.
-
This hasn't been my experience, at all. I was DELIGHTED to find out I was expecting my girls (I have 2 of each.) Even though I hoped I would have boys and girls I was disappointed a bit that my first wasn't a girl (I was an oldest daughter and so was my mother.) After a girl and 2 boys I was glad to be having a girl again w/ the last. (I do love and am glad I had my boys--I'm just focusing on the girls for the sake of this topic.)
FWIW I grew up in the Mid Atlantic States and went to a Northeastern Women's college. That may make a difference.
-
I know in Virginia you just need to use a Nationally normed standardized test. You can administer it yourself. I agree with the poster who suggested getting the Cat-E from Seton and testing her now w/ the second grade test. If she passes (4th Stanine, I believe) then you can relax about the Va. tests. I am pretty sure you could submit the results at the end of the school year. If she doesn't, you will know where she has problems.
The Language Arts of the Standardized tests focus on noticing punctuation and cap mistakes and on noticing misspelled words It really helps a lot to get a prep book to help them "get" what to do. Then you can use the prep book examples to make your own examples.
For math I would concentrate on making sure she has her adding and subtracting facts down, understands place value and knows how to add and subtract with regrouping. If she has these down she will be able to pass the test. While I like Singapore, I, too, would recommend getting a standard text book (you can get old Addison Wesley or Scott Foresman grade 2 workbooks for a song on Amazon. You don't need the teacher's manual for these) and working through the sections that she needs to work on.
Ideally, I do agree that it would be a good idea to get a copy of the math text used in the school.
Mostly, relax and just do the next thing. THere is a HUGE range of skills/abilities in the K-3 crew (I taught 1st and 2nd grade in an excellent school before kids and I have seen "late bloomers" catch up in a matter of weeks.)
Deep breath,
-
I did! The best thing I did was read the book How to Start a Homeschool Co-op by Carole Topp.
I recommend: Start small with a planning board. Choose one person, share your vision, work on what you want (we wanted an enrichment program.) Then invite some other organized, energetic, healthy people to share your vision. That will be your board.
I thought it was important to flesh out w/ one person what we wanted bc if you get a group together you will have many different opinions and desires. While you need to be flexible, you can't be all things to all people.
As a board we came up with a vision statement, policy (complete with rules), etc. Then we shared w/ our whole group and invited them to join us. We have a lot of rules and are very clear on responsibilities (everyone must be willing to teach, do a service job, etc.). Our board has lots of folks w/ small children so we need everything spelled out so we aren't inventing the wheel w/ every crisis. Folks who don't like rules, don't join and that is okay with us. I've been part of a looser co-op and liked it but I can't run one like this w/ a 2 yo, iykwim.
Our first year the board did too much work. We hadn't realized how much the "little things" would add up. This year we've spread the responsibilities out better. It still seems strange to me that folks who are just assisting make a fuss when asked to lead a cookie decorating party at the Christmas party bc of the prep work. (Don't they realize the teachers prep at least an hour each week?) But, we just keep repeating, "This isn't a service provided--it's a co-op where we need everyone's talent." We are also committed not to gossip and to keep short accounts. We often need to remind each other of this.
I have an amazing group of talented teachers and we are having a great time.
Would I do it again? Yes, I would, because it is very good for my kids. I am very proud of what we, the board, have been able to pull together. (We have 22 families/65 kids) However, it has been a.lot.of.work. We fight against resentment when it feels like we are doing most of the work/shouldering the responsibility. At those times I pull back and think--would I join if I wasn't the director? Yes, I would.
So, start small (I recommend no more than 12-15 families the first year), be clear about rules/discipline/responsibilities, share the load and try to enjoy. :-)
Classes: Art, PE, Science Activities, Five in a Row. This year we added Speech for the olders.
-
I like:
Noah
Ezra
Elijah
Levi
Peter
Jacob
-
I take a supplement everyday to keep my supply up. She has plenty of wet/dirty diapers and is happy and content after she nurses. I tried to give her a a formula bottle the other day and she wouldn't take it, so I assume she is getting enough milk.
That sounds good. I would continue giving the solids after feeding.
Try to give solids that are high in calories, then, like avocado and bananas.
-
My first thought was to up the BF but the Nurse Practitioner I take her to said to up the solids. She actually told me to give her solids first before I nurse her. I thought it was the other way around?
Thank you for all that!
Don't assume the NP has training in BF. Don't assume a doctor has much either.
I would also cut down on solids and up the time BFeeding. However, make sure that your milk supply isn't low. Do you feel engorged when she is "late" feeding? Does she have lots of output? Are you getting rest and drinking lots of fluids?
I would supplement w/ formula before upping the solids. Food at that age is less for nutrition than for getting used to eating.
-
I have clients take my glucometer and pick a day to test. They do a fasting and a two hour postprandial. I want to see what her body is doing with her normal food intake, not after dumping in 50g of glucose.
If the numbers are not within normal limits then I have them test a few more times that week and I have her bring in a food diary so we can reevaluate what she's eating.
I think this is a wonderful idea! My fasting sugars are always good but my postprandials are not particularly during pregnancy.
FWIW, I was only tested in my third pregnancy when I showed sugar on my routine urine test. I had GD and eventually needed to go on insulin. I was diagnosed early in my fourth pregnancy, as well. I wasn't tested my first 2 pregnancies bc I shared the opinions of some of the earlier posters about it not being valid. However, in my case, I think they would have been valid. I probably had GD in my second pregnancy but since I was never tested I don't know. DD was 10 days early and big. GD can be dangerous and can also be a warning (as it was in my case) that you are developing glucose problems.
I think one should be tested in pregnancy and using an actual blood glucose meter makes a lot more sense to me than drinking sugar.
-
Also, check her vitamin D level and if necessary, supplement with D3 (bring level up to 80).
Definitely, taking D3 makes a huge difference for me. The first thing dh and bff ask me when I get anxious and depressed is if I am taking my D vitamins. It is that extreme. Exercise and sleep also help a ton.
-
Another vote for the SWI. We did SWI-B with my reluctant writer and he eagerly did writing for the first time ever. He loves A. Pudewa, too. There are you-tube clips that you can show your dc and see if they like him. I showed my son and he practically begged me to get it. Although, I'd never say he LOVES writing, it is now pain free.
-
Relax, really, relax. The one K student I had elaborate plans (projects not seat work) with remembers NOTHING that we did.
My formula now:
Read alouds in different genre--fiction, non-fiction (Gail Gibbons type stuff), maybe some history picture books, fairy tales from around the world.
Some type of systematic reading program. I tend to use Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and add in Explode the Code as fine motor develops (my kids have particularly weak fine motor skills in K.)
Lots of outside time
Casually cover adding, subtracting, one to one correspondence, names of shapes, etc. at whatever level said child is at (my kids tend to be advanced in Math but since they are poor in fine motor can't handle texts at this point.)
Handwriting Without Tears
Lots of playing, art materials, Legos, puzzles, games, outside time, sports with the family
Using this relatively "unschooling" approach in K has worked great. They do fine/advanced at first grade work.
In fact, I remember when I was learning to be a teacher, I was told of a story about a study in Germany. One K class did projects/play/read aloud. The other did seat work. At the end of first grade, the playing Ks were ahead by the seatwork ones. There is a reason that traditionally most cultures start seat work at 6/7.
HTH,
-
As a former first/second grade teacher I would say average second grade. You would have first graders writing like this but there is a very wide range in first grade because of their developmental stage. I would not consider a second grader writing like this behind at all. However, I would like to say, with regard to early writing, that, like walking and reading, it is hard to be "behind" at an early age. My oldest ds who excels in reading and math (several grades ahead) was writing like this throughout third grade and into fourth. Now, in sixth grade, his writing is at least grade level if not advanced. We just kept writing steadily, worked on spelling and style and he improved.
-
Not crazy at all.
? about low carbers
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
20 is awfully low. I eat low carb bc of blood sugar issues. I don't count but I know what my body can handle. I would say my daily totals are btwn 60 and 80. I started while breastfeeding and lost weight quickly. I had to make sure I ate enough to keep up milk production. Why don't you see if 138 works for you and cut down from there. I would imagine cutting 300 carbs and 500+ calories a day will work well.