Just throwing another option out there for you-- we LOVE our oil drip pan. I can write on it with wet erase markers and I love how big it is. We have plenty of room to spare. You can see images of it here.

My computer is acting wonky and I can't seem to search the internet right now. I need help with something though. I picked up some used FLL 3 and 4 from a local used-curriculum sale. Someone mentioned that there are student workbooks I need as well. Is that the case? I will be started FLL2 with my daughter soon and didn't see mention of a workbook anywhere. I know Writing With Ease has workbooks . . . what's the deal with FLL?

We LOVE Dino Chess. What a bummer to hear it isn't available for Android. I have a few (non-app related)recommendations here.

I am using Alfred's. I was nervous about starting up piano because I have no experience either. Ideally, a teacher with regular lessons would be the best route but right now we just can't afford lessons. I am pleased with the steady progress we are making with Alfreds though. You can see my write up and free printable here.

Mine's up. Who else is playing? Since my wordless post is mountain-based I figured I would add this post on How Homeschooling Is Like Mountain Climbing as my Wordy post!

We do AAS three times a week and spend about 15-20 minutes per lesson. My daughter normally does one lessons a day but I have heard how some folks break one lesson apart and do that over a week. Ex- review one day, tile work the next, writing/diction to complete the lesson. I think how quickly you go through a level depends on your child. My oldest seems to pick up spelling easily but I can see where my middle daughter will need a more review/repetition based approach. I wrote out a blog post that showcased one day's lesson with AAS here.

I have a pretty good idea about what I'll be using for the upcoming school year. But before I buy anything I have plans to hit the two local used-curriculum sales that the co-ops but together. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can find some deals there. I actually signed up to have a table so I can sell some of the stuff I've been hoarding. I'm hoping I'll be able to sell enough to break even for what I'm about to spend.

My young kids are using Song School Latin 1 (and will be continuing with SSL2 next year). I started it when they were very young- mainly because it interested me more than Spanish or French. We started out the program by simply just singing the songs. As my girls get older then I slowly segue in the use of the corresponding workbook. It's more of a vocab introduction versus something like Latin For Children or Lively Latin. So for us - it's been a wonderful gentle approach. My 6 year old has made connections on her own about latin roots because of it. She gets excited when she can derive a latin word in our english language. Song School Latin isn't necessarily necessary. I know many folks who skip it and start with a full curriculum after 3rd grade. But for us, it's been a rewarding fit. I don't know if these would help you out but here are my original and updated posts on SSL.

I can't wait to share the Astronaut Farmer with my girls when they are a little older. There is some language but I love how they show the family all dreaming together.

I never would have thought about it myself but a friend just told me I should buy shampoo and conditioner specific for well/hard water. Just curious what you folks use. Also, is all well water hard? What exactly does that mean anyway?

I picked up the Jim Weiss CD because we spend quite a bit of time in the car. It works out well as a compliment to our weekly book readings but it isn't really necessary. I LOVE the AG though and recommend it. I suppose you could find a lot of comparable activities and suggestions online for free but for me it is just easier to have it in one go-to spot.

What about working your way through the Daring Book for Girls? I picked up both this book and the Dangerous Book for Boys awhile back and have hopes of using it with my three daughters in some not-too-distant summer.

:thumbup: My husband is already mapping out where he will build his observatory. He'll have my girls out there looking UP all the time!!

Thank you everyone for your kind words of encouragement. We spent the majority of the day there today. Today was a thunderstorm-filled Florida day and it was AMAZING on our property to watch the storms roll in and the lightning across the expanse of the sky. Between rainstorms my husband and I donned our boots to slog through our land to find the low lying areas and it's just so neat to think it's OURS! It's not a big property- it's about 5 acres all said and done- but coming from our suburban community where each house literally backs up against another -- well it feels like a new world. Literally. The sky at night is Awe-inspiring. My husband is an avid amateur astronomer and that was one of the major reasons to move out there. It's not as dark as a homestead out in the midwest would be(my husband would love to move to New Mexico or Arizona somewhere..) but coming from the light polluted skies of the city, this little country home of ours feels like paradise. I'll definitely be sharing our progress on our blog. Maybe I can share of the renovations we are trying to complete. :) I've got my fingers crossed for having a pool put in and we have two different contractors coming out tomorrow to give us a quote. I'm hoping we can somehow work it into our budget.

We signed the paperwork and made it official on Monday. We've got a bit of work before we're living full time out there but will probably be done with renovations and remodeling within a month or two. Here's two sneak peak pictures of our new country homestead! I just wanted to thank you fellow hivers for answering my homesteading and home purchasing questions lately. You guys are the best!

Maybe the OP can edit this little tidbit on their post so other people can see this.

I wish I had seen this earlier to let you all know-- if you use coupon code "Hoagies" you get the shipping free too!!!!

Sorry- I normally scan the last few pages to find the WW but today just used the search feature. I love the idea about a wordless/word-filled variation.

Anyone else playing today? Here's a neat shot of some roots. Also, I am in the middle of a giveaway for a plush GIANT Microbe. Feel free to read my review and enter the giveaway at my post "The Easter Bunny Gave My Daughter Mono!"

They definitely make great conversation-starters! I'm thinking I might add a few every year and start an Easter basket tradition. :)

I was recently sent some plush microbes from the folks at GIANT Microbes and I'm currently hosting a giveaway for one here. I had seen them around before and liked the idea of the educational aspect behind them but wasn't in any rush to acquire more stuffed animals. However, my girls freaking adore these things. AND not just the plush microbes- what literally had them on the floor in stitches was the animated versions of some of their microbes on their webpage. My girls literally just spent about 45 minutes cycling through their online catalog. My oldest would read some of the definitions and my younger two would crack up at the depicted images. I just thought I would share that bit about the website for some of you. It's a fun free website to mess around on. Just be warned - there are some "heavier" microbes on there like cancer, HIV, and assortment of STDs- so depending on the age of your kids you might want to skip those. For younger kids- it would probably just go over their head anyway.

You mentioned wanting to enjoy the process of raising your kids--- does your "educational-seeking" leave you feeling stressed or pressured? Or is it just a societal viewpoint you are accepting in that you think you should be pressured by always making it educational? I know for myself I actually really enjoy finding those didactic moments as they come. I enjoy putting some thought into gifts for them so they have a deeper meaning. My thought is that as long as my kids are happy - and I'm happy- then we'll just keep grooving along, purposely educational or not.

I did a review of A+ last year back when they only had certain grades available. You can see my review here. Hope that helps.

Thanks everyone. I can't believe how much of a life change this will be for us. I found our local Tractor Supply Store and spent some time looking around it with my girls. We ended up getting him a gift card. My girls did spot awesome pink/horse muck boots that they drooled over. Ah, it's the little things that make them happy!

We're in Florida. So I'd like something that can hold up to the sun's intense rays. Yes, actually. It's not too far. Maybe I can sneak a trip in without hubby. I was honestly hoping I could find something I could just order online and have shipped to me though.