Thanks! This is exactly why I posted, my expectations are often unrealistic. She has experience with online classes already, she has been taking math online for a few years. But the other classes will be a new format and new teachers, so I guess I'll have her narrow those other two down to one, so she has three online classes. But maybe that's too much as well. I'll talk to her about it tomorrow since she's in bed.

My dd will be taking geometry online and a one year novel writing course online this fall, she will be in 9th grade. She's also interested in an Adobe Illustrator class for the fall semester, and a forensics anatomy class. She will still need a history course (not online, just something at home), a literature course (at home), and wants to take some art classes in person. She is highly gifted and has ADHD. Math comes easily to her, but she says she hates it. She also says she hates science and history. She's very creative and art and writing are her loves. She spends her free time writing, painting, drawing, and reading. So it's a big deal that she's even interested in the forensics course since it's science related, and I think the Adobe Illustrator class would be a good experience, because she's been thinking about a career in graphic design. So would four online classes be overload for her? She has been taking online math for awhile with the same teacher, so she's already used to managing that class.

I don't know if these are too old for a 6th grader, you will want to read descriptions and reviews, but I thought these were sad. The Book Thief Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close The Sea of Tranquility All the Bright Places Me Before You

In your situation, I would try to aim for a walk outside every day for some fresh air and low impact exercise, and take a nap each day if it's possible. I wouldn't worry about increasing exercise until later, if you get over the extreme fatigue, but if not, it may be your body's way of saying you need to be gentle with yourself until after baby comes. If you have access to an indoor swimming pool, swimming might be more low impact and doable too. Your doctor is sure your vitamin d and iron levels are good? If you've always been fit and now standing for 10 minutes is a challenge, that would make me concerned that there's an underlying issue. I hope you feel better soon! ETA: From your sig, it looks like you have little ones, so I know that makes a nap for you hard. I had my middle three close together, so I found it necessary to let them have some screen time after lunch while I dosed on the couch, it was the only way I could get through the day. Sometimes even just laying down with your eyes closed for awhile can help recharge you, even if you're not able to go to sleep because the little ones need supervision.

In answer to the OP's question, I like before and after photos. It's definitely true though that photos are manipulated when you see them on the Beachbody website and their promotional material. They light the before pictures differently than the after, with more shadow and dimension in the after, and flatter lighting in the before. I noticed on the Hammer and Chisel material, that the trainers doing the program look even more muscular than they do in the videos, they dodge and burn their muscles in the photos to really make them pop. I've also seen how even a tan can make someone's muscles look more noticeable in an after photo. So you definitely have to keep those photos in perspective. But even more than pictures, I like to hear about how much stronger and energetic they feel, that's motivating for me.

I'm not a Beachbody coach or expert or anything, and I actually strongly dislike MLMs. But I use a lot of Beachbody programs, because to me they're motivating and fun. I have never seen something like Jello instant pudding promoted by Beachbody itself, or in any of their cookbooks or recipes. They promote very clean eating, I don't even know if the stuff in Jif powder is acceptable. I eat natural pb with ingredients of peanuts and salt. I use their cook books and meal plans and I eat eggs, lean meats and fish, veggies, small amounts of good fats, and fruit. So I think it's just the person you know who decided instant pudding is low calorie or something and he'd use that. Shakeology is already sweet enough imo, so I don't know why he wants to add that, yuck.

Can homeschoolers register at the local high school for the SAT or ACT?

I knew my dd was gifted but she has recently been tested as profoundly gifted and I don't know where to start. I can see that I haven't been challenging her enough and both her psych and I feel that she needs to be pushed a lot more. She seems more receptive to trying more challenging things herself, now that she has the outside opinion that she is capable of it. (Because mom knows nothing, of course. ;) ) She also has ADHD, but the psych doesn't feel that she can't cope with more and he is working with her on organization and creating systems for herself to keep track of things. Testing didn't show any specific learning problems, it's her working memory that's a problem. Math comes easily to her but she says she hates it. She loves writing and reading and is a talented writer and artist. She takes math classes online and I'm not changing that. Next year she'll either go to an accelerated charter high school that we've been looking into, or she'll stay home and take math and science online and then as many classes in person as I can find for her, writing for sure, and she wants to take theater. What homeschool curricula comes to mind that a creative person who loves to read and draw would enjoy? And what high school curricula or online classes have you found to be a good fit for a gifted student? Also, what are some programs for gifted kids we should look into? What is the benefit of her taking the SAT early and applying for special programs? I'd also love to here from anyone with a 2E child in high school on how that plays out. I'm clueless and would appreciate any help at all!

You guys are awesome! So many of these suggestions look like books she'll love that will help rekindle her love of reading. I had ordered a bunch yesterday and then saw the posts about steampunk books today, which she loves, so I ordered a few more. I'm saving the rest of the suggestions for when she needs new reading material from the library. Thanks so much!

She has read those over and over too, they are definitely the type of book she likes. Had to laugh about that, my dd was like that for awhile too. Contrary creatures!

Thank you Kareni, for that great list!

Does anyone know anything about the sexual content in the Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce?

Thank you! I'll look at the ones you mentioned that I'm not familiar with. She really likes Hunger Games and read the Ally Condie books. She has read the Wrinkle in Time series and owns them all. It's hard to find her books because she was such a voracious reader for so long and has already read so much. What about the Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce?

I think I might give her the first few of The Lunar Chronicles then, she has always loved fairy tales and might like the futuristic take. What about The Girl of Fire and Thorns?

Has anyone heard of or read The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer?

My kids always give me long lists of books for Christmas, which I love. But this year my 13 year old dd says she can't think of any books she has read this year that are so good that she would want to own. I feel really down about this, I have had trouble finding book suggestions for her as she gets older and I feel like as a family, our time spent reading has steadily declined. I was hoping to surprise her with a few really good books, but I can't seem to find any ideas. She loves fantasy most of all. Any suggestions?

Disregard, we sent it in.

I might try that, thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks for the feedback!

That's the very first thing I looked at, but I had read reviews that it's an advanced Biology course, or maybe I read that on their website. It sounded like it goes at a fast pace, and my son has some learning disabilities that might make that hard. If anyone has input tor experience with it, I'd love to hear more about it!

Last minute change of plans so I now need to quickly find my 9th grader an online secular biology course. He needs guidance, feedback, and deadlines, so nothing self-paced. I thought Kolbe would work until I saw the Catholic text that is part of the course. I am now looking at Texas Tech, Keystone, and American School, but I can't find much feedback on these. Does anyone have experience with these, or any other course(s) to suggest? I have read all through the biology thread here. Laurel Springs is $990 for the year, so that is out of our budget. K12 is $850 for the year, also beyond our budget for one class. Everything else I have seen isn't secular. Thank you for any reviews and suggestions you can offer!

This is awesome! Thank you.

I'm planning my dd's 8th grade year, she will be going to a charter school for high school after this year so I'm wondering if there is a study skills course someone would recommend or just a list of things you would want your child to know before transitioning? She has always been homeschooled. She takes math online and gets good grades so I feel confident she will be prepared in that subject. She reads a lot and has a broad knowledge base. She loves creative writing, but balked at academic writing in the past, so she knows we need to focus on that this year. Any other thoughts on what she needs to know?

Thank you! I did find it with your link. It's not as long as I had remembered, but has some great suggestions. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/518162-mac-n-cheese/

I work out regularly- I finished P90X recently, and I tend to stick to strength training + cardio workout videos. I do a lot of planks and other core work. My separation is still awful after 5 1/2 pregnancies. I have read that core work makes it worse, so I guess I'll try the exercies you ladies mentioned. ETA: I'm kind of scared to just drop core work though, and I don't even know how to find a good workout video that doesn't incorporate planks and push ups? My goal is to get athlete fit, so very toned and muscular.