I did take the time to put all of the facts practice tests for Saxon, the sheets for the investigations, and the sheets for the periodic tests in the order in which I'd use them. But otherwise, it is open and go.

We have both. :) I have a desk, and DD has a desk; she is easily distracted and does much better with her own desk/space. The boys have a table that they share, and that works fine for now, though we'll re-evaluate as time goes on. If I did not have a schoolroom and was mostly using the kitchen table, I would probably need to find somewhere else for DD to work (and I would still probably keep my desk for the computer and everything, even if I didn't sit at it much during the school day).

I need a game or relay or something for the kids to play at our co-op's potluck this weekend. There will be about 35 kids, from toddler to teen. Nothing too complicated, but I thought a relay race would be fun. We will be indoors. Any favorite ideas? (And I am giving prizes -- chocolate -- to everyone, not just the winners.)

We do a ton of reminders. We also have debated charging even for free field trips. People seem to do better at showing up when they've paid even a small amount. Payment is due in advance for paid events, and for free events, you can charge a dollar or two per person, payable in advance, and then refund the money when people actually show up. For co-op classes, those are paid in advance, and also, we generally require that you teach or assist as well (partly because we need the help). Things happen (my kids caught a stomach bug before a co-op class this past spring, so our family did not attend that day, which means someone else had to fill in in the nursery for me; the second I had an inkling that we were sick, I let the director know, so as to avoid last minute as much as possible), but it really seems that money makes the difference.

We aren't really big TV people, but DH and I have picked up a few shows in the past couple of years, and usually on Friday nights, we catch up on those online. For the past year, we've also been working, off and on, through the entire X-Files series on DVD; I guess we need to find a new series now that we're almost finished with that. We have enjoyed playing board games together too. DH reads a lot or hangs out on the computer; our office and bedroom are a little suite, so I can be reading or knitting, and we can be chatting.

I saw something advertising daycare around here, and it looked like daycare (at a center, I think) would cost about $200 a week, per child, which is considerably less than $15 an hour, but still, it confirmed to me that daycare for my two little guys plus gas would eat up anything I'd make if I worked. $15 an hour sounds more like nanny pay, and even when I was a nanny (granted, it was fourteen years ago, but still), nannies didn't make $15 per hour PER KID. My bosses paid me enough that I could support DH and myself pretty well in an expensive city, but it was still not $15 an hour per kid. Wowzers.

Believe it or not, having a plan of what we might want to do, and roughly in what order, but not necessarily what we'll do six months in advance, actually lets me keep from feeling behind. If I HAVE a good plan, I feel comfortable skipping the plan when we want to spend more time on something, or less time on something, or even do something completely different. If I have no plan at all, I feel like we never end up doing any of the extra stuff -- the stuff that my kids don't know about but enjoy if I introduce them. For instance, last year, they loved making a jello-and-candy cell model, and it did help them get a feel for how a cell works, but if I hadn't planned it out in advance, it never would have happened, and we live too far from anything to do spur-of-the-moment trips for supplies or anything very much. I also find that even with the open-and-go stuff, if I don't have some sort of plan ahead of time, it doesn't end up happening. I'm all for real-life learning, but I also feel that kids don't know what they don't know, and sometimes I do need to make them do things that aren't their favorites, same as I make them brush their teeth, so again, no plan, nothing happens. I plan loosely, and I stop the plan whenever needed. If we need more time on a math concept, we'll move the next lesson back a bit. No biggie.

Those pumpkin-oatmeal pancakes sound good; we eat oatmeal a lot, and that would be a nice variation on them. Great northern beans (I use dried, but canned would work), canned diced tomatoes, and frozen spinach, sauteed in a bit of oil or butter, mixed together, with rigatoni if you eat grains, seasoned with crushed red pepper to taste, topped with a bit of parmesan cheese if you want -- filling, nutritious, tasty though simple, and a large batch (enough to feed all five of us plus leftovers) is only about $7 if the ingredients were bought on sale. (Canned tomatoes are about the only canned item I use, and I do stock up on them when they're on sale for a dollar a can.)

At least at one point (it might be grandfathered in), Verizon would let you have a family plan, with unlimited calling to other Verizon customers, an overall bunch of shared minutes, and unlimited texting, plus smartphone/internet package for just some of the people on the plan, so that might be an option.

We do school year-round, and my general plan is to read the SOTW chapter on Monday and then do supplemental books on Tuesday and Wednesday, plus some projects. If we do that, we could easily get through all 43 chapters, including the intro, in a year, but I want to leave extra time to do more reading and exploration of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures. So I will probably skip the extra projects and reading for a few chapters so that we can read two or three SOTW chapters in a week.

As I organize the year's plans, I put printed items in a binder, which is organized by subject, each subject's papers in order of how I plan to do them. The general lesson plans are put in a spreadsheet, by subject. For instance, under DD's math, it says, "Lesson 1" on one line, "Lesson 2" on the next, and so on, with tests inserted as applicable. Every week, I will go through and click, copy, and paste the specific lessons for each day of that week. I can't plan stuff like "September 8, do lesson 1 of math, p. 55-60 of reading, chapter 3 in history," etc., too far in advance, because things change, and since we school year-round, we take breaks when needed. So I have the order and can just select the next thing for the next day. I do like having it printed out for each week. (I'm also in PA, so I check off work on the printouts, and if there's ever a question, I can pull them out.) Every couple of weeks, I look at the list of upcoming topics and order needed books from the libraries. Every night before a school day (or sometimes the morning of), I take the day's printed sheet and fill the workboxes with applicable papers, books to read, extra materials needed, etc. (Each child has his/her own box with pencils, pens, scissors, etc. Those stay at their workspaces.) Each child has several workboxes (well, the 3yo only has one, and only because he insisted on having one), and this year, I've labeled them for each subject; we'll see how that works. There are also workboxes for subjects we do all together. When they complete the work, they put the box back into the stack on my desk, and this year, I am setting up an inbox for work that I need to see. Books will go back in the crate that I use for books (or back to the library boxes or our personal shelves), or they will remain in the workboxes if they'll be used the next day. There's also a card for each subject that is its bookmark. Each child (and me too) also has a clipboard that they can use if they want; it makes sure there's always a smooth surface for writing and keeps things from being lost if we need to take work in the car. As I check work, I go over it with the child, and when it's done, I file it. Each child has a set of hanging folders, labeled by month, for his/her work, art projects, etc. (My dad made me the crates for files and books, and they sit on my desk and on my printer table next to my desk.) When I do the portfolios, I just pull out each child's set of folders and select good examples for each subject from the beginning, middle, and end of the year. Every month, I move the previous month's folders to the back of the child's set, so that the current one is at the front. I also check off work on the daily printout as it's completed (or I cross off stuff that we didn't get to, and I note anything special or interesting that we did, as well, so it's a bit of a journal too.) The order for work is flexible, depending on what everyone's moods/needs are, but generally: -Bible, poetry -- at breakfast, all together -do math, foreign language, and memory work with DD while DS1 and DS2 play (and this year, WWE is being added to that); send her to do her independent work -work with DS1; send him to do his independent work -do something with DS2, even just reading a book -do history and other family subjects with everyone -science and music are for Fridays when we don't have co-op I also want them to do a typing program most days, but that is trickier, because they need the computer that is on my desk, which is where I prefer to be when I'm working individually with each child, so we will need to juggle that one a bit. That sounds complicated. :) It's not, really, but it does help me keep better records and to get to more fun stuff. And in reality, some days, it doesn't stay organized, and my desk ends up covered in books and papers. But having the framework helps a lot. :) ETA: As for where things go -- my desk has the workboxes, computer, and crates, plus drawers for manipulatives and special art supplies (like the nicer paintbrushes and non-washable ink pads). The rest of the art and craft supplies live in a huge cabinet that used to hold sheets and towels, until I decided I needed it in my schoolroom (because my baby can't open it and dump paper and stuff all over the place like he could with the shelves I had been using).

My brother and SIL have a baby who was stillborn, and I think it means a lot to them when we mention her by name, when we don't forget that she is forever missing from our family gatherings. I try to make a point to let them know we're thinking of them on her birthday, and that we light a candle in her memory on October 15, and though nothing can ever ease their pain, they seem to appreciate when we acknowledge her. If you can handle listening to them talk, they might appreciate that, and they may want to show pictures of their baby. (I saw a few pics of my niece, and they weren't gory, if you're concerned about that.) This is a good book, if it might help them at all to know that they are not alone: http://www.amazon.com/They-Were-Still-Born-Stillbirth/dp/1442204125/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338351107&sr=8-1 Also, if they have another baby later, they may choose to handle the pregnancy very differently; they may want more monitoring, tests, early induction, etc., and if that's not your thing, it may be hard to bite your tongue (it was for me). But do; whatever peace of mind tests and all can bring them is important, and it's not quite something we can understand if we haven't btdt ourselves. (Even having it be my niece was still different from if it had been my child.)

We finished up last week and will start back sometime early in July, so about six weeks or so.

I love Getting Started With Latin like nothing else, and my DD loved it too. We are moving to Latin's Not So Tough next, Level 3; I think it will be easy for her, grammar-wise, but it has some vocabulary that was not taught in GSWL, and I thought easy review would be better for her than being confused. (I also know no Latin, so I wanted something that wouldn't be overwhelming for me as well. I have heard that it can be hard to jump into LNST at the higher levels if you don't have a Latin background.) If I had one homeschooling wish (aside from vouchers, LOL), I would wish that the GSWL would expand to have more languages than just Latin and Spanish, because we like its approach that much. :)

Things to sort, make patterns with, etc. Sticker books. Memory cards to match. My almost 4yo is asking to do schoolwork; he wants to do "maff" and he wants to learn to read. He's very much a "keep up with the big kids" kind of kid, though.

I have been planning for next year for a few weeks, as I have time, and I'll be finishing it up over the next few weeks. That includes looking up supplemental books for history, to see what my library has, so that I can just order them from the library as needed every few weeks. Even for the open and go subjects, I've got the lessons put into a spreadsheet, so that I can pick what we're doing each week, depending on what else is happening that week. I found that last year, if I didn't plan it out carefully ahead of time (printing stuff, listing materials needed, etc.), it didn't end up happening, and with a toddler and a preschooler this coming year, I think planning will be necessary.

I would plan to be gentle with yourselves for a few weeks, while you make the transition; schoolwork might not be the biggest priority for a while. I'd try to use the time when DH is gone as efficiently as possible, but also, maybe it would work well for DH to say, "Okay, buddy, I need to go do my work, and you need to do yours." Set up separate areas so they won't disturb each other, and maybe it'll be easier for your son if he realizes that Daddy is working too, and then maybe he'll be motivated to get his work done quickly so that he and Daddy can enjoy their free time together afterward. My DH rarely works at home, but when he does, if he or the kids are going to get anything done, they need separate work spaces. If he was around a lot, we'd need to establish some ground rules (like "kids don't go in Daddy's work space during certain hours," or "Daddy does not come down to get snacks/drinks during certain hours if he wants the kids to do their work"). I'd also need to resist the temptation to call him to entertain a little one or two while I worked with the big kids. :)

Some random ideas: -Go out on the weekend/in the evening with the other children, while she stays at home with your DH. "Sorry, DD, you do not like to get in your carseat, so this time you have to stay at home." She may or may not be too young to "get" this though. -Go out on the weekend/in the evening with just her. Let her take all the time in the world to get in her seat. Maybe she would enjoy the time to explore the seat. -Ask one of the older children to be her buddy. Maybe she'll think that's cool enough that she'll let them buckle her in. -In warm weather, this is hard, but I have been known to close the doors to the car and just sit until the kids get buckled/stop making noise/whatever they're doing that's a problem. I don't engage them at all; if they ask why I'm not driving, I say, "it isn't safe right now." Yes, that's unfair to your older children, but so is having everyone stressed and on edge because of the tantrums. -I like the idea of saying goodbye to the swings, etc. Some kids need more transition time than others. Maybe rather than giving 5 minute warnings, you can say, "we can go down the slide two more times" and then it's time to go. 5 minutes can be more nebulous for the kids, but they can understand when I tell them, "I'm going to do X, Y, and Z, and then it's time to go." And rather than try to round everyone up at once, I just tell them it's time to go, and I start heading toward the car. They know I won't leave them, but that shows them that I do indeed mean business. -I will do a certain amount of sympathizing -- "Yes, the park is fun. It would be great to be able to spend the whole day here" -- but there's a limit to that. Sometimes my toddlers are more easily swayed by something to look forward to -- a snack/toy/music in the car, the promise of Daddy coming home, dinner, whatever. They also respond pretty well to something like, "We've had so much fun. . . we definitely need to come back with Daddy so he can see you do the swings." Promising for the future plus including Daddy equals golden at my house. This time will pass. :) (And remember, the kid who is strong-willed now is less likely to be influenced by negative peer pressure later.)

By the time we got married, we'd been together almost seven years. We turned 21 and 23 in the spring, graduated college in May, and got married in August. The only reason we hadn't gotten married sooner was because we had no way to support ourselves until we graduated. (I finished a year early; he took an extra year, so we graduated together.) We'll have been married 14 years this summer.

If it's a social call, I multi-task. I often call my mom when I'm doing something like folding laundry or cleaning the kitchen, and I'll find that she's doing the same while we're chatting. She doesn't mind if I take a second to deal with something the kids need, though if it's protracted, I'll call her back. If it's a business call, then I really don't multi-task, unless it's nursing the baby.

I like this approach. If this woman is otherwise a good friend, and you'd like to help her out, you might try something like, "We'll be going to town on X day. Can we get anything for you/take you anywhere while we're there?" Or don't answer your phone if she calls. I far prefer email and encourage people to reach me that way; it's easier to say no over email, or via text.

:lol: :lol: I love it! My kids wear normal clothes. Well, actually, no, they don't. They don't wear pajamas during the day, and they don't wear uniforms, but I guess they don't really wear normal clothes a lot of the time. Mine prefer costumes, particularly my daughter. It is way more fun to do your chores and schoolwork in a ballgown or a knight's costume. Or some other random costume they've put together. They are particularly adept at fashioning Jedi costumes out of stuff they've collected from around the house. And my 3yo likes wearing multiple prints, including shirts and pants in different camo prints, and some combination of his favorite soccer-ball-print sweatshirt, pants with a billion pockets, and the same Lightning McQueen long-sleeved tee. I'm actually chuckling because my 10yo DD would *like* a uniform. She wants a plaid skirt in the worst way. Not because she likes the uniform aspect, but because one of her favorite heroines is Susan Pevensie, and a plaid skirt would be very Susanish, she says. (That is, when she's not being someone from medieval times, or a colonial girl, or a Star Wars character. I don't think we encourage imagination enough in our house.) Shoes? My kids don't wear shoes in the house. Most of the time, they'd prefer to be barefoot in the yard too (which kind of defeats the purpose of a no-shoe household, because they track in dirt anyway). I wear shoes in the house, but I don't go outside very often.

WIC varies a lot from state to state. In my state, you don't have to get the LEB of milk, cheese, etc. You are prohibited from buying organic, but you can at least get hormone-free milk and cheese. You are allowed to buy organic fresh or frozen veggies/fruits with the produce vouchers, but they do tell you that you won't get as much, because those are for specific dollar amounts. And I hear the breastfeeding support varies; I've worked with several lactation consultants, midwives, etc. and have never seen anything that promotes breastfeeding (even extended BF'ing) like the WIC office right around here. It's not a perfect program, but there have been several positive changes in the past couple of years for WIC. ETA: Cool Whip would not be a WIC food in my state.

That is so sweet! I expected the baby gaga stuff from my daughter, but I was so pleasantly surprised to see my boys do it too. DS1 thinks the sun rises and sets on his little brothers, and DS2 is the same way about DS3. In fact, DS2 (3 1/2) told me the other day, "Mama, I want LOTS of babies, boy babies AND girl babies." When I tell the kids that I don't know if we'll have more babies or not, they all get really sad at the idea (okay, so do I; I'd have a hundred babies if I could). I hope that means our boys will grow up to be good daddies!

I would wait, and I'd put breastmilk drops in nose, eyes, and ears.