We switched from Saxon (which my then-ds7 hated) and used Transition through part of E with him (he's now 11). He didn't love RS but he tolerated it. I have since learned that he is a mastery kind of kid and does much better with mastery programs. Thus, after we stopped with E, we moved to MUS Epsilon (fractions). We are currently using RS D with my dd9 after using MUS Delta and Gamma with her. We had done B through part of D with her when I switched both of them MUS. DD told me the other day she prefers RS, thus we are going to continue with D/E, while still using MUS Epsilon to solidify fractions (I think MUS Epsilon is genius for fractions...especially the fraction overlays.) Here's what I would say now that we've done all this switching: I really believe RS is a superior foundation for the younger grades and I would start with RS and go through D and possibly E (if E came in 4th or 5th grade) before switching to anything else. While doing MUS, we would constantly go back to the skills we learned in RS. That is one of the strengths of RS in my opinion: Dr. Cotter lays out several different approaches to the same skill set and then your dc can decide which approach makes the most sense to them. My kids now each have different ways of doing the same problems because they were able to "test" out the different approaches and find what they liked the best. Also the card games are great fun. We did find that we needed to work more on math facts drill (I used to to be in the drill-and-kill-is-bad camp; now, not so much...I think it has it's place) and for a child who needs mastery, maybe supplementing with Math Mammoth or something would be very helpful. But overall, I really see the genius in RS now that we are moving into other areas and don't think you would go wrong if you were to switch to it.

A doctor (although not my personal physician). I'm going to do some more reading...I don't mind taking it 3x a day but I would so much rather do the big dose, once a week.

That makes me unbelievably happy :D

OK, I have a question about this: I was told that our bodies can't absorb a lot of D3 all at once so to maximize absorption, it needs to be done at all three meals during the day. Just a week ago, I bought a lower dose (2000 iu each) formula for this reason. :confused:

I'm in the First Form camp... We did PL and Minimus in 2nd, Lively Latin 1 and part of 2 in 3rd/4th and FF in 5th. Knowing what (little :tongue_smilie:) I know now, I would feel fine starting a 5th grader who catches on quickly with FF. It is by far my favorite latin program. I love, love, love it.

My ds "attended" the First Form Latin class Fall/Winter last year and, while he didn't love it, and I think we would have been just fine going through the book/DVD at home, it forced him to work harder than he typically would for me because his reputation was at stake with his classmates. This was, in my estimation, the best part of the class. I would say the teachers were very available and I appreciated their encouragement of the kids. The only annoying thing to me (although my ds liked it) was there were times when the side chatter was a bit too much. While the teacher was drawing something on the board or was occupied for a minute with something that left the class not engaged (or sometimes when he/she was in the middle of teaching), the kids would start this chatting ("Who is going to their grandparents for Christmas?" "What do you want for Christmas?" "My baby sister is sitting here bugging me." "Oh yeah, my baby sister does that too. I hate it." "I went to a sleepover the other night...") Blabbity blab blab blab. But, the upside is that it helped the kids connect with each other (I loved to sit through the initial log-on because all the kids would throw out these greetings and happy thoughts to each other as they logged on...it was really very sweet). So, it was a minor thing really, and in light of the benefits, would not deter me from signing him up again. My only suggestion would be to make sure your child's typing skills are decent... I don't think they have to be great but at least a good working knowledge of the keyboard. My ds would get frustrated when he would know an answer immediately but couldn't type fast enough to be first to post his answers. Latin is now his favorite subject and I noticed that it coincided with this class. I think being able to see what he could do gave him some confidence that he wouldn't have had just sitting in our school room competing with himself. All in all, a good experience and I am looking forward to him taking a few more as he gets older (Lost Tools of Writing, Traditional Logic, several of the literature classes....).

I finally started using fabric softener and then we also throw them in the dryer for a few minutes. Much, much better now.

:grouphug: Praying

Yay! I just bought a big bag at Costco and was looking for new ways to use it! Thanks for sharing. :001_smile:

:001_huh: He apparently doesn't see the irony in the fact that he is simultaneously despairing for your ds because he's h-sd and yet exposing and lamenting all of the horrible things that ps did/does to kids' math abilities and interests. I might be tempted to ummm...reflect that back to him. I agree, you have admirable restraint. :tongue_smilie:

These? http://www. lakeside.com/catalog.asp?Ntt=896024023

Constitutional Law and politics School And so, to combine the two, I'm planning on going back to school for a Doctorate in Const. Law as soon as the kiddoes are on their own way....

That's just pretty wise. :001_smile:

Come to the mountains of central Oregon! It's got everything plus lots of sun!

Ha! Same here :001_smile:

I would consider what *kind* of seasons you want. Do you like really hot summers that cool down a lot or stay warm? Mild summers? Mild winters? Do you do all the winter sports? Summer sports? Is access to both summer and winter sports important? We have 4 very definite seasons here (high desert of Oregon) but the summers are relatively mild (average high 80's/low 90's) and once the sun goes down, very cool...usually down into the 40's. I have to put on a sweatshirt and hang out at the fire pit if we are outside in the evenings. But I know people who want that warm summer evening feeling and would hate how chilly it can get. Personally, I love it. We've lived here for 12 years and have never used AC. For us, we know that we need to live in the mountains for this kind of cool/dry climate. We also don't have a lot of bugs so you can sit outside in the evenings and not be swatting things. For all of those considerations, we have chosen the high desert of Oregon. We have 20 minute access to great skiing and winter sports, 20 minute access to all summer sports and the ocean is within 3.5 hours. We have cool evenings, mild summers, definite winter but not miserable; lots of cloudless, sunny days (summer and winter). If we didn't live here, we would choose the Collegiate Peaks area of Colorado...same climate/lifestyle just no access to the ocean. There are two major drawbacks though: the airport thing as we have one within 30 minutes but it is small and very expensive to fly out/in. If we want cheap airfare, we have to drive 3 hours to Portland. Not terrible but not great. (However, IKEA is right next to the airport so....I'm just sayin' is all....) The other is cost of living: we live in a tourist town with lots of retirees and it is expensive to live here. However, you can drive 18 miles in two different directions and the COL goes down somewhat.

This is exactly what I was going to say. So very practical. My family and I listened to it on a car trip once and we still (my dc included) refer back to the wisdom there.

Taco Bar? You'd only have to brown meat and toast taco shells so very little heat would be produced. Make some Spanish rice in a rice cooker. It's cheap, goes a long way and if you lay out all different kinds of options (tortillas for soft tacos, tomatoes, black beans, lettuce, peppers, avocados/guacomole, sour cream, salsa and chips), everyone can usually find something they like.

I can pass on the Ipod (both kids have one...doesn't interest me at all). I can pass on the Iphone (dh has one and LOVES it...they are best friends....but it doesn't interest me at all.) But...I want an Ipad in the.worst.way. Three of my ds' friends got them from their granddad a couple of weeks ago and I am completely jealous of these 11, 13, and 15 year old kids. :glare:

We have established a "We both have to like it" rule. This may actually include some of the stuff she likes...you might be surprised. But, as long as our dc are in our house, it's still our rules. Applying this rule has relieved the burden from both my dd and I to maintain authority (and she's only 9...sheesh!) and shopping is so much more pleasant now.

Praying here too :grouphug:

For those of us non-fiction lovers: Babyhood or Couplehood, both by Paul Reiser (of Mad About You fame). They were so funny, my stomach muscles cramped up continuously from laughing.

I think there is great truth here. I have accepted the probability that my dc may not fully appreciate me or our hs-ing until they are grown. I'm ok with that. I always saw my mom as sad and not involved with my life. As an adult, I have a much greater understanding of her struggles and can see so much more clearly where she did make efforts...and I love her for that! As to your question for adding more fun: have you tried Readers Theater? We started doing this about two years ago and my kids love it...plus, it is purposeful, not just silly stuff. Reading aloud (especially for the age of your kids) is an excellent way for them to reinforce their reading skills, public speaking, comprehension, etc...I did some research on it at one time and was amazed at all that takes place while they are having fun! We use these books: Simply Shakespeare (Readers Theatre for Young People) edited by Jennifer Kroll 24 Tandem Bible Hero Storyscripts for Children's Ministry by Steven James 12 Fabulously Funny Fairy Tale Plays by Justin Martin Readers Theater for American History by Fredericks The best part is there is no prep work: all you have to do is copy the pages for each child. No mess. Nothing. :grouphug: You are not alone. We should start a Downer-Mom Support Group :001_smile:

Well, that's true...but somehow in my mind I know we are heading towards cooler rather than amping up. :) Ugh. I hate the amping up.

Say wha? Pretty sure there is nothing about coercion and tithing in Scripture. I fully support tithing but this is outrageous. Stomach-churning outrageous. To whomever said "Run"....do that.