Also, they spend a great deal of time on HOW to take the particular test, not on the material. For instance, if one type of essay is required on the test, all effort is on that one particular essay and no time on the other types. Much time is spent teaching the kids how to pick out the correct answer (my kids' school called them "strategies") not on the actual subject matter at hand. They had pep rallies, week-long TAAS (now STARR) "camps", they got them t-shirts, the whole bit. Not only that, but it seemed like at least twice a week, the kids were taking "benchmark" tests to see how they were doing. It was ridiculous. My kids passed those exams with flying colors, often 100% in most subject areas. They were getting incredibly short-changed in their education because almost all of school time was focused on those stupid tests. Sucked all the joy out of learning.

I'm in the Houston area too. Our Aldi is being built (almost complete) right across a small street from Walmart. It's across a bigger street from a Super Target and an HEB (grocery store chain in Texas), and down the street from Kroger. I think we are covered on purchasing food here :) but I do wish that Trader Joes would make an appearance. The closest one is 45 minutes away :(

11th grade: TOG Year 3, Rosetta Stone Spanish 3, Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2, Oak Meadow Environmental Science 10th grade: TOG Year 3, Rosetta Stone Spanish 3, AOPS Geometry, Apologia Physics 8th grade: TOG Year 3, Rosetta Stone Spanish 1, Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1, Apologia Physical Science 7th grade: TOG Year 3. Rosetta Stone Spanish 1, math is still undecided, Apologia Physical Science 2nd grade: TOG Year 3, Phonics Road 3; Rosetta Stone Spanish 1, Horizons Math 3 and or Math Mammoth, CKE Earth Science I haven't decided on anything else at this point. Some of the above I've already purchase or already own....some I am still waiting to buy.

We were watching Chopped on the Food Network, and the chef said he was doing the show for his wife. My 6 year old ds said "When I go on the show, I'm doing it for the money!" He's obsessed with going on Chopped, too. He talks about it all the time.

This is the one I use as well.

We aren't required to count days, but I work off of our Tapestry of Grace schedule since it is a full 36 weeks. We are down to 9 weeks left. The kids will be done with some subjects sooner though.

My nephew was born at 24.5 weeks. Obviously, he was in NICU for months with all sorts of machines. I believe my BIL and SIL were able to hold him well before 32 week mark, but he was already over a month old at that time too. He is definitely a miracle child. He was 1.4 lbs at birth and now is about to celebrate his 2nd birthday with not a thing in the world wrong with him except being a little on the small side. He's such a blessing! My dd was born 4.5 weeks early, and she came home with me the next day. I think it really depends on the situation.

Don't always see eye to eye with our decisions, but usually stay out of it unless asked. And they love the grandkids like nobody's business.

Facing the Giants is always good. Not amazing acting or anything, but a good message. If you OK with something that isn't specifically Christian (although the name is based on a contemporary Christian song and there is several parts with a distinct Christian message), you might look at Here Comes the Boom. Now, if you are ultra conservative (I'm pretty conservative myself though) it might not work for you, as MMA (mixed martial arts) plays a big role in the movie. But it's funny, clean, and IMO, fine for young teens (and my 6 year old saw it with us too). Neither of these are Easter movies though...I couldn't tell from your post if that was what you were looking for or just a movie rec.

I have an artisan that I've had for about 7 years. I love it and use it all the time. I also use it with the grinder and fruit strainer attachments somewhat frequently. That said, I don't make large batches of dough. I have heard that the professional model is better equipped for dough in large quantities. My sister has the professional model, and she doesn't care for the bowl that lifts up and down as opposed to the top part that is on a hinge like the artisan. But it sounds as if you should go for the professional model.

Ok...that won't work. Here's my blog post with pictures. I'm not a great blogger and it's very new, so just look at the pictures, ok? http://www.foodforhe...y.blogspot.com/

If Bountiful Baskets operates in your area, I highly recommend it. I'm on my Kindle, so I can post a pic, but here's a link to my latest "basket" I actually got all the produce pictured for $48 (half of it organic) and the bread (9 loaves of organic) for $22. This was actually kind of a lean week because it's kind of between growing seasons. The co op is offered here every other week, but it's every week in some locations. See link in the post below :)

Salsa, ketchup, and BBQ sauce

The only negative thing I've ever heard about olive oil is there is a high level of "counterfeit" olive oils on the supermarket shelves. Some being that they don't meet the qualifications to be labeled "Extra Virgin" all the way to being a totally different oil colored and flavored to appear as olive oil. Here's one blog post that I've read.

Just made this coconut pineapple pudding tonight and it's delicious.

I've never had it, but a few days ago I put it on my meal plan for Sunday. I HOPE it tastes good :)

We stayed in a house with a private pool that slept 8 for less than $100 a night. That is definitely the way we will do Orlando if we ever do it again. This was the company we used. Very professional. http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com/

I challenge that statement :) My dh is the owner/operator of a Chick-fil-A located in a mall, and he has EXCELLENT customer service! He's got some great customer survey scores to boot. It is definitely a company culture....customer service is HUGE!

I cook most nights from mostly scratch. We participate in a fruit/veggie co-op. I buy organic food sometimes, and I try to stay away from HFCS and I appreciate GMO-free foods. But I like to drink Coke (yeah, yeah, yeah...HFCS supreme), I like to make desserts (although usually from scratch), and my dh is the owner/operator of a Chick-fil-A. Yeah, we certainly aren't purists here.

Harris County Library System (Houston, TX) has 13 copies (3 different editions), as well as 6 copies of The Well Educated Mind, 6-7 copies each of The Story of the World vol 1-3 on cd and 23 copies of volume 4 on cd. They also have 3 copies of History of the Ancient World and 7 copies of History of the Medieval World and 3 copies of The Art of Public Grovel.

http://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Ice-Bag-Blue-Inch/dp/B000PD1EU2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1363183481&sr=8-4&keywords=refillable+ice+packs http://www.amazon.com/Stay-Dry-The-No-Sweat-Refillable-Pack/dp/B0000AR85R/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363183481&sr=8-1&keywords=refillable+ice+packs

Children's Place. Their husky sizes start at size 4.

My dh owns a business that traditionally hires teens, but he is getting more and more adult applicants lately. Honestly, in this economy, he generally gets better work habits from adults and tends to hire them. He still has quite a few teens that work for him (including my three oldest), but he is (and always has been) very picky about who he hires. He weeds MANY teens out by their application. If there are spelling and grammatical errors (throughout the application, not just one small thing), he won't even call them for an interview. He has so many applications, he simply doesn't have to hire everyone. He looks for school involvement (or homeschooling activities), leadership activities (volunteering, club involvement, ect) and previous experience. He's also not fond of job hoppers. The next step is the interview. You would not believe the way kids (an adults too) show up to an interview! If you are chewing gum, the interview won't last long at all. Dress must be neat, and if you are wearing businessy-type clothing it's a plus (he has some poorer kids that work for him that don't own such clothing, so it's not a requirement). Clothes must be clean, not wrinkled, and shirts tucked in. If you are female, make sure you are dressing for an interview, and not a date (ie, no low-cut, tight fitting clothes). Speak clearly and make eye contact, and SMILE! That's a HUGE one......just SMILE! It's tough for teens to get a job these days, but tell your son to keep at it. This is the best time to start looking, before the school summer break starts Most companies have already finished summer hiring by the end of May. I do agree with what the others have said about using contacts. Many of my dh's employees are referred by other employees or adults that we know who recommend a teen. Good luck to your son. Tell him not to give up!

They carry this at our Randall's grocery store (part of the Safeway chain).

My dd likes Pantene Smooth.