I'm doing Right Start Level A for the third time this year. Honestly, don't sweat it. Everything is covered again in Level B (plus more). It's something that comes with practice. As others have said, let her use manipulatives or the abacus. You can also show her on a number line... sometimes seeing the little jumps helps. None of my kids understood everything perfectly in A...but it was amazing to see the progress they made in understanding between A and B.

For DS1 and 2, we used Click-n-Read phonics coupled with lots of reading together. For DD1, we used Reading Eggs coupled with lots of reading together. All of them used the LeapFrog "Letter Factory" DVD when they were about 2-3 to learn their letters and sounds. Oh, DD also used/liked the Hooked on Phonics Pre-K program, and we have used some of their free videos on Youtube ("Big Pig" song is a favorite).

Thanks everybody! I knew you guys would have some good ideas/resources. :) This site is fabulous :) http://www.k12reader...spelling-words/

So, I really don't want to spend some of our budget on a spelling curriculum. DS1 and 2 seems to have good natural spelling ability. Does anybody know of any good lists/free stuff online? We've used spelling city, but I'm always inputting random lists of words. I'm looking for something with a more logical progression over random words we encounter in reading, or that I notice they're spelling incorrectly.

This might help http://money.msn.com/family-money/christmas-for-less-than-100-dollars-freedman.aspx For holidays, we've given one family gift (like a new/used Wii game) or some sort of family experience. Honestly, kids seem to like those just as much as individual gifts. I read this book years ago... maybe your library has it? http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Dollar-Holiday-Joyful-Christmas/dp/068485595X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352923667&sr=1-3&keywords=100+christmas

If you have cocoa powder, make mud puddle cake. So yummy and easy. It's also known as wacky cake, depression cake, or vegan chocolate cake. You mix together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and I think baking soda and salt together in the pan...then make three holes... put vinegar in one, vanilla in one, and oil in the other. Then you pour water over it...mix it together and bake. Super moist. Makes good cupcakes too.

Best I ever had was a place called Culver's when we visited Wisconsin. So yummy. Five Guys is awesome, but I'm not sure if it counts. I just choosing among the big guys, I'd probably say Wendy's for food... but used to love Chik-fil-A for their super clean playrooms and kids nights. (I'm not a fan of their waffle fries, though.) Now I kind of debate going there over some social issues, but I figure seeing a Mom in hijab with kids is a good thing.

Mostly I buy the stuff I normally buy and just try and have a little extra during Hurricane season. I did buy a bunch of freeze dried fruit from Shelf Reliance which we like. I've seen their stuff on Costco.com and they usually have a Black Friday/Black Monday sale from what I remember. Best purchase was my solar flashlights. WE use them all the time. http://www.amazon.com/HYBRID-POWERED-FLASHLIGHT-EMERGENCY-BATTERY/dp/B001NTT45Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1352780137&sr=1-1&keywords=solar+flashlight Also have this for water. http://www.amazon.com/waterBOB-Emergency-Drinking-Water-Storage/dp/B001AXLUX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352780116&sr=8-1&keywords=water+bob And of course an emergency radio . Check the LDS/Mormon sites for info on storing food, quantities, etc. We're more low-keyed trying to have about 2 weeks extra in case of a hurricane. :)

We have this one http://www.amazon.com/Educo-My-Creative-Cookery-Club/dp/B000A6L6WK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1352779468&sr=8-13&keywords=wood+play+kitchen It's probably a little short for a seven year old, but all of my kids still play with it (9, 7, 5, and 2). We've definitely had a lot of fun with it. One thing also to consider is buying a kids' cookbook and cooking real food. We love all of the Mollie Katzen cookbooks. We also have a BH&G one for kids--that my son loves. I just bought the River Cottage Family Cookbook used on Amazon, and it's simply wonderful. Such great info. http://www.amazon.com/River-Cottage-Family-Cookbook/dp/1580089259/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352779578&sr=1-4&keywords=river+cottage+cookbook

John McDougall has been touting the same thing since the late 80s/early 90s. Basically, it's a low-fat, whole-grains vegan diet...and yes, diabetes can be reversed on the plan. Part of the reason is that people tend to lose weight...but I think another part is getting out a lot of the refined foods.

What about taking that experience and going into general aircraft maintenance. Orlando International is a big airport.... as is Miami. Might be an option. In Daytona, is Emory Riddle which is an aeronautical engineering school... not sure if there might be any ideas there. There's also a big military presence in Jacksonville. Because of that, there might be more job training/career advice resources there.

So, if you switched mid-year, did you start your curriculum from the beginning? Middle? Did it depend on the subject? DS1 really wants to homeschool, and I think I've convinced his Dad to let us do it starting in January for a trial. I'm leaning towards Sonlight's Core B+C or Oak Meadow 3rd grade. For math, we'll probably continue with Saxon, as that's what he's using in school (and it will be an easy transition.)

These are my favorite. I bake them up in either an 8" square pan...or make them thinner in one of those foil buffet pans (we buy a giant pack at Sam's Club.) They're technically a blondie, I guess. :) 1 stick of butter (1/2) cup melted 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 cups flour 1/4 cup oatmeal (optional, can also add another 1/4 cup flour) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips 1/2 to 1 cup toasted nuts (walnuts or almonds--optional) 1/2 cup coconut (optional) Melt the butter in the microwave...and start preheating the oven to 325. While the oven is preheating throw the nuts you'll be using in the pan you'll be using and let them toast. (You can also toast nuts in the microwave but this is easier.) Mix melted butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda and salt together in a mixing bowl. Add in flour and oatmeal (if using). When well mixed, add in toasted nuts, chocolate chips and coconut. Put into a square 8" or 9" pan sprayed with Pam. To easily spread, wet your hands and kind of press down on it until it is evenly spread out in the pan. Bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes. Cut into bars while warm.

That's weird. I checked the national org's website and there is nothing that says adults can't attend. You would think it would be in the Parent FAQs. http://www.ahgonline.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=41554

I've always had great luck with Robeez, and the Target version. For winter though (snow), we were given a pair of baby Uggs for DS1 which were wonderful. With the other kids, I bought similar faux-Ugg boots at Target which worked well.

I've been married for 10 years, and my husband has been clinically depressed for all 10 of those years. I kept thinking it will change as we move from job/career rung to job/career rung, but it doesn't. He's a physician, and thus won't seek out help as it can affect his professional career. (ironic, no?) I'm not sure he'd seek it out even if he wasn't a physician, though. He goes to work O.K. but the second he comes home he goes into his office, lies on the bed there and surfs online or watches TV until he sleeps. On weekends, it's the same thing. He lies in bed all day. He wants nothing to do with the kids. Nothing. Can't even be bothered to eat with them most days. When he does interact with them, he is downright mean. I know that there are cultural differences regarding disciplining children, but he does stuff like hit them with slippers and tweak their ears which I find shocking. When I mention getting help or anything like that, he says he will just leave me the kids and leave the country. He belongs to a non-Hague participating country, so there's nothing I can really do. There's also a risk he could take one or more kids with him. I don't know what to do. Help.

For kids I'd go for butter chicken (murgh makhani) or tandoori chicken. Also... samosas (pea/potato kind)... naan or one of the more fun specialty breads For dessert, gulab jamun (kind of like donuts/fritters), rice pudding, or mango kulfi Sometimes it's nice to go to a place with a buffet so kids can try all different things. One of my kids favorite was a spinach/chicken dish that I never would have expected them to like as they don't like spinach (at least the way they'd had it before.) Have fun!

Those are really good ideas. My Dad went through chemo last year. He too mentioned the boredom of the chemo. A lot of times he was there all day. So, maybe you'll want to download some books on mp3, borrow a kindle, etc. Ask if the cancer center has wifi--if so, bring a laptop if you can. Ditto the recommendation on dental work first too. At least go in for a cleaning and tell your dentist what you'll be having done. If they don't have any appointments, explain to the receptionist why you want one, and they might be able to squeeze you in. Ask for a recommendation regarding mouthwash, toothpaste, etc. I remember my Dad used Biotene?Biotin? (something like that)...it's OTC. Rebecca Katz also has a good cook book called "One Bite at a Time." See if your library has it. My Dad's taste buds changed and basically nothing tasted good for him. It was a real struggle to get him to eat and keep weight on. We did a lot of milkshakes. :) Honestly, even if you are at the Cleveland Clinic, I'd still want an oncologist who I can talk to. You might want to talk to the chemo nurses and see who they recommend. :) They might tell you, yes, Dr. X has zero bedside manner, but he makes up for it in outcome... or they might say, well, a lot of people like Dr. Y.

Because... they are classics for a reason. They represent the best in literature over time. Reading good literature is in itself educational. It teaches you what good writing looks like. They teach vocabulary. They teach cultural references. The stories offer complex characters, moral lessons (usually), etc. They feed the soul. They can take you on a journal to a different time, different culture, different world. They allow your imagination to develop as you picture what the characters might look like in your mind. With really good books, you can gain something different each time you read them. Know what I would do? Challenge him to read one of the books your kids are reading...and then have a family book club. He might discover a new appreciation for the books he scoffed at as a kid. :)

I apologize too. :) So new question... if you agree that this might be the new norm, how are you raising your kids differently than you were raised? Like in our house, we try and do the three cups thing (I think it's similar to Dave Ramsey), where kids portion out money in terms of long-term savings, spending, and charity (some programs also do investing). We limit toys/gift at birthdays, holidays, etc. and often try and go for a family gift or family experience. When they're older, we'll talk about credit cards, interest rates, debt, budgets, etc. I would really like them to think/get used to living off of 75% of whatever they make or less--and saving 25%. Oh how I wish I had done that...especially before I had kids. :)

:iagree:

Have you ever checked out this site? http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews

Wow snarky. If I hit a nerve, I'm sorry. As my shock over iPhone prices seem to have caused such interest, I'll also put in a plug for Verizon's Hopline Program--recycling of used cellphones for domestic violence survivors. If you have any old cell phones lying around, and don't know what to do with them, consider donating them. http://aboutus.verizonwireless.com/communityservice/Shipping.html

Freeze them... then... blend with a tablespoon of milk and make banana ice cream. Can also add in mini chocolate chips, coconut, etc. at the end. or...blend frozen banana with 1 cup of milk (low fat/skim is fine) and a dash of vanilla...for a delicious healthy banana milkshake

That happened to DD last year. It looked actually dented. We ended up icing it and giving it 24 hours. The next day, it still hurt, but not as bad. Resolved on its own. They don't put a cast on a finger... splint or taping is usual.