Have a family share day at the end of the year. I would let my guys print out pics some times or copy an image from the Internet and type their narration.

Blank Books. My kids love to make their own books. I buy them at Rainbow Resource. I think they are called Bright Books.

SOTW and KONOS have both been enjoyable for the younger years. I find SOTW is better for later elementary and into middle school. My high schooler is reading the older SWB History books now. We tried Oak Meadow as well. It didn't work well for us. I think because I just don't have independent enough kids and couldn't keep up with separate levels. It works to have us all on the same topics. Truthquest History has horrible writing. I feel like she wants to be my buddy. I don't know if it is good because I can't read it. We tried MOH ancients and it bothered me. Can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe theology or assumptions?

Can I get an Amen on that! The failures we have had always have more to do with me then them.

I would totally pu the 7 and 5 year old together. Maybe something like KONOS. You could actually do KONOS with the 9, 7, and 5yo. I would schedule my day so that the 3yo was with someone at all times. My 2yo is nuts and my 3yo is a little artist. Insane.

I am cocky :p

Most kids need a little time to detox from school. Just getting back to not have such a strict structure, being able to potty...that sort of thing. That gives parents time to see what to do and talk a lot to the child about what they want to learn.

Really Ellie? A pubic forum.

I don't know what you decided. But, if you attracted to KONOS. Then buy the KONOS level you want. And, go online to betterworldbooks and find the Sonlight books for the KONOS unit. Those books are not exclusive to Sonlight ya know. They are often just great books. KONOS has book suggestions for each unit, as well as in the plans. You will burn out of you try both. The only way I could see it work is if you spaced the SONLIGHT out to be a 2 year program. One KONOS volume is at least 2 years worth of really fun stuff. Sonlight is a year of lots of reading, discussions questions and worksheets. (I know I am biased. I love KONOS and Ellie.)

You can buy packages at rainbow http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/LRS1WA/03a63cb9ee4aad13c9d0356b Or just the individual books. Every single one of my kids have sought these out at the library. Love them.

Yeah we have read the "let's Read" series so often, I am planning on buying them for the youngest two.

I didn't for my first two. My third has delays and didn't really take in much. My fourth is absolutely soaking everything up. With 5 kids she doesn't always get special time. So, I decided to do some pre-k/k stuff with her starting this fall. It will be dedicated time just for us.

Seven Times the Sun Oak Meadow PRE-K teacher books TWTM because I do that at least once a year. I am going to get a few new audio's from PHP as well. I have two and they really help and encourage me. I might read ahead on some of the older kids books. I never find the time for that.

What is your budget? Why do you think the failure...was well a failure? Have you read TWTM? Are you a scheduled mom or a fly by the seat of the pants mom?

Weird. I am on my iPad and use my iPhone, as well.

I know right :). My 5yo were always wild children. Kits were cool. Books and worksheets were borrrrrrringgggggg. I know some people don't like Magic School Bus Kits. But, they are bright and colorful and have a poster. My kids liked that.

Azure Standard is a co-op where you can buy and they deliver via a semi truck.

Then a kit a month is probably your best bet.

I love this resource for ordering science supplies. They always have what I need. They don't have so much stuff that I feel overwhelmed or like I am some sort of science failure. Here is the Pre-k and K suggestions. http://www.hometrainingtools.com/elementary-science-for-prek-2/c/177/action/showall/

Stepping into Science kit http://www.timberdoodle.com/Stepping_into_Science_p/645-600.htm

Weather tree post from my blog http://oakblossomsacademy.blogspot.com/2010/02/weather-tree.html

Play outside a lot. Collect lots of nature stuff and start a nature table, basket or shelf. Put a big magnifying glass there. Get a kid size pair of binoculars. We use a pill box, the kind with days of the week, to collect little dead bugs we find. Buy Magic School Bus DVD's to watch. Get a blank journal for the child and yourself. Practice drawing something like a tree throughout the year. Children that age love nature. It is a great time to really connect to science in a pretty fluid way. The only science kit I like for younger kids is Stepping into Science from Thames and Kosmos. Raise butterflies, collect some tadpoles from a pond. Observe, Observe, Observe. We did a weather tree one year. That was really fun. I just drew my own. I am on my iPad so I will be back with links.

I hope we bloom where God plants us.